Magnetic sensing system for a rotary control device

ABSTRACT

A control device includes a moving portion, a magnetic element coupled to the moving portion, at least one magnetic sensing circuit responsive to magnetic fields, and at least one magnetic flux pipe structure. The magnetic element may comprise alternating positive and negative sections configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic element may be any shape, such as circular, linear, etc. The magnetic sensing circuit may be radially offset from the magnetic element, and the magnetic flux pipe structure may be configured to conduct the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element towards the magnetic sensing circuit. The magnetic element may generate the magnetic field in a first plane, and the magnetic sensing may be responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction that is angularly offset from the first plane. The magnetic flux pipe structure may redirect the magnetic field towards the magnetic sensing circuit in the second direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/631,459, filed Jun. 23, 2017, which claims the benefit of ProvisionalU.S. Patent Application No. 62/356,989, filed Jun. 30, 2016, thedisclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

In accordance with prior art installations of load control systems, oneor more standard mechanical toggle switches may be replaced by moreadvanced load control devices (e.g., dimmer switches). Such a loadcontrol device may operate to control an amount of power delivered froman alternative current (AC) power source to an electrical load. Theprocedure of replacing a standard mechanical toggle switch with a loadcontrol device typically requires disconnecting electrical wiring,removing the mechanical toggle switch from an electrical wallbox,installing the load control device into the wallbox, and reconnectingthe electrical wiring to the load control device. Often, such aprocedure is performed by an electrical contractor or other skilledinstaller. Average consumers may not feel comfortable undertaking theelectrical wiring that is necessary to complete installation of a loadcontrol device. Accordingly, there is a need for a load control systemthat may be installed into an existing electrical system that has amechanical toggle switch, without requiring any electrical wiring work.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are examples of a control device. The control device mayinclude a moving portion, a magnetic element coupled to the movingportion, at least one magnetic sensing circuit, and at least onemagnetic flux pipe structure. The magnetic element may includealternating positive and negative sections. The magnetic element may beconfigured to generate a magnetic field in a first plane (e.g., a firstdirection), for example, when the magnetic element is moved (e.g.,rotated, slid in a linear direction, etc.). For example, the magneticelement may include a circular magnetic element and the moving portionmay include a rotating portion. Alternatively or additionally, themagnetic element may include a linear magnetic element and the movingportion may include a linear slider.

The magnetic sensing circuit may be responsive to magnetic fields in asecond direction that is angularly offset from the first direction. Insome instances, the angular offset may be a 90 degree offset. Themagnetic sensing circuit may include a Hall-effect sensing circuit. Insome examples, the control device may include two magnetic sensingcircuits that each comprise two magnetic element coupling portions,where the magnetic element coupling portions of the two magnetic sensingcircuits are offset from the centers of two adjacent positive andnegative sections of the magnetic element. When magnetic elementcoupling portions of the first magnetic sensing circuit are lined upwith the centers of two adjacent positive and negative sections of themagnetic element, magnetic element coupling portions of the secondmagnetic sensing circuit are each lined up with a transition between apositive section and a negative section of the magnetic element.

The magnetic flux pipe structure configured to conduct the magneticfield generated by the magnetic element and redirect the magnetic fieldtowards the at least one magnetic sensing sensor circuit in the seconddirection. The magnetic flux pipe structure may include a magneticelement coupling portion, a sensor coupling portion, and a mountingportion, where the magnetic element coupling portion and the sensorcoupling portion are located at opposite ends of the magnetic flux pipestructure. The sensor coupling portion may be arranged in a plane thatis perpendicular to a plane of the respective magnetic element couplingportion. The mounting portion may be attached to a printed circuit board(PCB) of the load control device. The magnetic element coupling portionmay be positioned adjacent to the magnetic element and located in anotch in the PCB when the mounting portion is attached to the PCB.

The control device may be a load control device or a remote controldevice. For example, the control device may include a base portion and acontrol unit. The base portion may be configured to be fixedly attachedto an actuator of a mechanical switch. The base portion may beconfigured to maintain the actuator in the on position. The control unitmay include the moving portion, the magnetic element, the at least onemagnetic sensing circuit, and the at least one magnetic flux pipestructure. The control unit may be configured to be removeably attachedto the base portion. The control unit may include a wirelesscommunication circuit configured to transmit one or more wirelesscommunication signals to one or more control devices. Alternatively oradditionally, the control device may include a yoke configured to mountthe control device to a standard electrical wallbox, such that thecontrol device is configured to be coupled in series electricallyconnection between an alternating current (AC) power source and acontrollable electrical load.

In instances where the control device is implemented as a remote controldevice, the control device may provide a simple retrofit solution for anexisting switched control system. Implementation of the remote controldevice, for example in an existing switched control system, may enableenergy savings and/or advanced control features, for example withoutrequiring any electrical re-wiring and/or without requiring thereplacement of any existing mechanical switches. Although it should beappreciated that the techniques described herein may be incorporatedinto a wall-mounted load control device that is configured to beelectrically coupled between an alternating current (AC) power sourceand an electrical load, and/or into a table top, handheld, orwall-mounted remote control device.

The remote control device may be configured to associate with, andcontrol, a load control device of a load control system, withoutrequiring access to the electrical wiring of the load control system. Anelectrical load may be electrically connected to the load control devicesuch that the remote control device may control an amount of powerdelivered to the electrical load via the load control device.

The remote control device may be configured to be mounted over thetoggle actuator of a mechanical switch that controls whether power isdelivered to the electrical load. The remote control device may beconfigured to maintain the toggle actuator in an on position whenmounted over the toggle actuator, such that a user of the remote controldevice is not able to mistakenly switch the toggle actuator to the offposition, which may cause the electrical load to be unpowered such thatthe electrical load cannot be controlled by one or more remote controldevices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an example load control system thatincludes an example retrofit remote control device.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an example retrofit remote controldevice (e.g., a rotary remote control device)

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the example retrofit remotecontrol device illustrated in FIG. 2, with a control unit of the remotecontrol device removed from a mounting assembly thereof.

FIG. 4 is a front exploded view of the control unit illustrated in FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of a printed circuit board assemblyof the control unit illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the control unit illustratingstructure of a Hall-effect sensor system of the retrofit remote controldevice.

FIG. 7 is a partial side cross-sectional view taken through the lineshown in FIG. 6 to illustrate the orientation of components ofHall-effect sensor system without a printed circuit board shown.

FIG. 8 is a partial side cross-sectional view to further illustrate theorientation of the components of Hall-effect sensor system.

FIG. 9 is a partial side cross-section view taken opposite the view ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial rear perspective view of the control unit withoutthe printed circuit board shown, but with the location of the printedcircuit board shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged front perspective view of the components ofHall-effect sensor system without the printed circuit board shown, butwith the location of the printed circuit board shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the perspective view of the componentsof Hall-effect sensor system illustrating magnetic field lines.

FIG. 13A is a front-facing exploded view of an example control unit of aremote control device.

FIG. 13B is a rear-facing exploded view of an example control unit of aremote control device.

FIG. 14 is a partial front view of a control unit for a remote controldevice illustrating the structure of another example Hall-effect sensingcircuits.

FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram of an example control device thatmay be deployed as a remote control device (e.g., a rotary remotecontrol device) of the load control system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16A depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encodercontrol signal when an example rotary remote control device is actuatedalong a first direction.

FIG. 16B depicts a first encoder control signal and a second encodercontrol signal when an example rotary remote control device is actuatedalong a second direction.

FIG. 17 shows a simplified block diagram of an example control devicethat may be deployed as a load control device (e.g., a dimmer switch) ofthe load control system illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an example load control system 100. As shown, the loadcontrol system 100 is configured as a lighting control system thatincludes an electrical load, such as a controllable light source 110,and a remote control device 120, such as a battery-powered rotary remotecontrol device. The remote control device 120 may include a wirelesstransmitter. The load control system 100 may include a standard, singlepole single throw (SPST) maintained mechanical switch 104 (e.g., a“toggle switch” or a “light switch”) that may be in place prior toinstallation of the remote control device 120 (e.g., pre-existing in theload control system 100). The switch 104 may be electrically coupled inseries between an alternating current (AC) power source 102 and thecontrollable light source 110. The switch 104 may include a toggleactuator 106 that may be actuated to toggle, for example to turn onand/or turn off, the controllable light source 110. The controllablelight source 110 may be electrically coupled to the AC power source 102when the switch 104 is closed (e.g., conductive), and may bedisconnected from the AC power source 102 when the switch 104 is open(e.g., nonconductive).

The remote control device 120 may be operable to transmit wirelesssignals, for example radio frequency (RF) signals 108, to thecontrollable light source 110 for controlling the intensity of thecontrollable light source 110. The controllable light source 110 may beassociated with the remote control device 120 during a configurationprocedure of the load control system 100, such that the controllablelight source 110 is then responsive to the RF signals 108 transmitted bythe remote control device 120. An example of a configuration procedurefor associating a remote control device with a load control device isdescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitled “Radio-FrequencyLighting Control System,” the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The controllable light source 110 may include an internal lighting load(not shown), such as, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) lightengine, a compact fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, a halogenlamp, or other suitable light source. The controllable light source 110includes a housing 112 that defines an end portion 114 through whichlight emitted from the lighting load may shine. The controllable lightsource 110 may include an enclosure 115 that is configured to house oneor more electrical components of the controllable light source 110, suchas an integral load control circuit (not shown), for controlling theintensity of the lighting load between a low-end intensity (e.g.,approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g., approximately 100%).

The controllable light source 110 may include a wireless communicationcircuit (not shown) housed inside the enclosure 115, such that thecontrollable light source 110 may be operable to receive the RF signals108 transmitted by the remote control device 120 and control theintensity of the lighting load in response to the received RF signals.As shown, the enclosure 115 is attached to the housing 112.Alternatively, the enclosure 115 may be integral with, for examplemonolithic with, the housing 112, such that the enclosure 115 defines anenclosure portion of the housing 112. The controllable light source 110may include a screw-in base 116 that is configured to be screwed into astandard Edison socket, such that the controllable light source may becoupled to the AC power source 102. The controllable light source 110may be configured as a downlight (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) that may beinstalled in a recessed light fixture. The controllable light source 110is not limited to the illustrated screw-in base 116, and may include anysuitable base, for example a bayonet-style base or other suitable baseproviding electrical connections.

The load control system 100 may also include one or more other devicesconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the controllable light source110. As shown, the load control system 100 includes a handheld,battery-powered, remote control device 130 for controlling thecontrollable light source 110. The remote control device 130 may includeone or more buttons, for example, an on button 132, an off button 134, araise button 135, a lower button 136, and a preset button 138, as shownin FIG. 1. The remote control device 130 may include a wirelesscommunication circuit (not shown) for transmitting digital messages(e.g., including commands to control the lighting load) to thecontrollable light source 110, for example via the RF signals 108,responsive to actuations of one or more of the buttons 132, 134, 135,136, and 138. Alternatively, the remote control device 130 may bemounted to a wall or supported by a pedestal, for example a pedestalconfigured to be mounted on a tabletop. Examples of handheldbattery-powered remote controls are described in greater detail incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012,entitled “Wireless Battery Powered Remote Control Having MultipleMounting Means,” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,573,208, issued Aug. 22, 1009,entitled “Method Of Programming A Lighting Preset From A Radio-FrequencyRemote Control,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

The load control system 100 may also include one or more of a remoteoccupancy sensor or a remote vacancy sensor (not shown) for detectingoccupancy and/or vacancy conditions in a space surrounding the sensors.The occupancy or vacancy sensors may be configured to transmit digitalmessages to the controllable light source 110, for example via RFsignals (e.g., the RF signals 108), in response to detecting occupancyor vacancy conditions. Examples of RF load control systems havingoccupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,940,167, issued May 10, 2011, entitled“Battery Powered Occupancy Sensor,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug.30, 2011, entitled “Radio Frequency Lighting Control System WithOccupancy Sensing,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issued Jun. 12, 2012,entitled “Method And Apparatus For Configuring A Wireless Sensor,” theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may include a remote daylight sensor (notshown) for measuring a total light intensity in the space around thedaylight sensor. The daylight sensor may be configured to transmitdigital messages, such as a measured light intensity, to thecontrollable light source 110, for example via RF signal (e.g., the RFsignals 108), such that the controllable light source 110 is operable tocontrol the intensity of the lighting load in response to the measuredlight intensity. Examples of RF load control systems having daylightsensors are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013, entitled “Wireless Battery-PoweredDaylight Sensor,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013,entitled “Method Of Calibrating A Daylight Sensor,” the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may include other types of input devices,for example, radiometers, cloudy-day sensors, temperature sensors,humidity sensors, pressure sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxidedetectors, air-quality sensors, security sensors, proximity sensors,fixture sensors, partition sensors, keypads, kinetic or solar-poweredremote controls, key fobs, cell phones, smart phones, tablets, personaldigital assistants, personal computers, laptops, time clocks,audio-visual controls, safety devices, power monitoring devices (e.g.,such as power meters, energy meters, utility submeters, utility ratemeters), central control transmitters, residential, commercial, orindustrial controllers, or any combination of these input devices.

During the configuration procedure of the load control system 100, thecontrollable light source 110 may be associated with a wireless controldevice, for example the remote control device 120, by actuating anactuator on the controllable light source 110 and then actuating (e.g.,pressing and holding) an actuator on the wireless remote control device(e.g., the rotating portion 122 of the remote control device 120) for apredetermined amount of time (e.g., approximately 10 seconds).

Digital messages transmitted by the remote control device 120, forexample directed to the controllable light source 110, may include acommand and identifying information, such as a unique identifier (e.g.,a serial number) associated with the remote control device 120. Afterbeing associated with the remote control device 120, the controllablelight source 110 may be responsive to messages containing the uniqueidentifier of the remote control device 120. The controllable lightsource 110 may be associated with one or more other wireless controldevices of the load control system 100, such as one or more of theremote control device 130, the occupancy sensor, the vacancy sensor,and/or the daylight sensor, for example using a similar associationprocess.

After a remote control device, for example the remote control device 120or the remote control device 130, is associated with the controllablelight source 110, the remote control device may be used to associate thecontrollable light source 110 with the occupancy sensor, the vacancysensor, and/or the daylight sensor, without actuating the actuator 118of the controllable light source 110, for example as described ingreater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/598,529, filed Aug. 29, 2012, entitled “Two Part Load Control SystemMountable To A Single Electrical Wallbox,” the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

The remote control device 120 may be configured to be attached to thetoggle actuator 106 of the switch 104 when the toggle actuator 106 is inthe on position (e.g., typically pointing upwards) and the switch 104 isclosed and conductive. As shown, the remote control device 120 mayinclude a rotating portion 122 and a base portion 124. The base portion124 may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator 106 of theswitch 104. The rotating portion 122 may be supported by the baseportion 124 and may be rotatable about the base portion 124.

When the remote control device 120 is mounted over the toggle actuatorof a switch (e.g., the toggle actuator 106), the base portion 124 mayfunction to secure the toggle actuator 106 from being toggled. Forexample, the base portion 124 may be configured to maintain the toggleactuator 106 in an on position, such that a user of the remote controldevice 120 is not able to mistakenly switch the toggle actuator 106 tothe off position, which may disconnect the controllable light source 110from the AC power source 102, such that controllable light source 110may not be controlled by one or more remote control devices of the loadcontrol system 100 (e.g., the remote control devices 120 and/or 130),which may in turn cause user confusion.

As shown, the remote control device 120 is battery-powered, and notwired in series electrical connection between the AC power source 102and the controllable light source 110 (e.g., does not replace themechanical switch 104), such that the controllable light source 110receives a full AC voltage waveform from the AC power source 102, andsuch that the controllable light source 110 does not receive aphase-control voltage that may be created by a standard dimmer switch.Because the controllable light source 110 receives the full AC voltagewaveform, multiple controllable light sources (e.g., controllable lightsources 110) may be coupled in parallel on a single electrical circuit(e.g., coupled to the mechanical switch 104). The multiple controllablelight sources may include light sources of different types (e.g.,incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, and/or LED light sources). Theremote control device 120 may be configured to control one or more ofthe multiple controllable light sources, for example substantially inunison. In addition, if there are multiple controllable light sourcescoupled in parallel on a single circuit, each controllable light sourcemay be zoned, for example to provide individual control of eachcontrollable light source. For example, a first controllable light 110source may be controlled by the remote control device 120, while asecond controllable light source 110 may be controlled by the remotecontrol device 130). In prior art systems, a mechanical switch (such asthe switch 104, for example) typically controls such multiple lightsources in unison (e.g., turns them on and/or off together).

The remote control device 120 may be part of a larger RF load controlsystem than that depicted in FIG. 1. Examples of RF load control systemsare described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,442, issued onMay 18, 1999, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Controlling AndDetermining The Status Of Electrical Devices From Remote Locations,” andcommonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0206983,published Aug. 20, 2009, entitled “Communication Protocol For A RadioFrequency Load Control System,” the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

While the load control system 100 is described herein with reference tothe single-pole system shown in FIG. 1, one or both of the controllablelight source 110 and the remote control device 120 may be implemented ina “three-way” lighting system having two single-pole double-throw (SPDT)mechanical switches, which may be referred to as “three-way” switches,for controlling a single electrical load. To illustrate, an examplesystem may comprise two remote control devices 120, with one remotecontrol device 120 connected to the toggle actuator of each SPDT switch.In such a system, the toggle actuators of each SPDT switch may bepositioned such that the SPDT switches form a complete circuit betweenthe AC power source 102 and the electrical load 110 before the remotecontrol devices 120 are installed on the toggle actuators.

The load control system 100 shown in FIG. 1 may provide a simpleretrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The loadcontrol system 100 may provide energy savings and/or advanced controlfeatures, for example without requiring any electrical re-wiring and/orwithout requiring the replacement of any existing mechanical switches.To install and use the load control system 100 of FIG. 1, a consumer mayreplace an existing lamp with the controllable light source 110, switchthe toggle actuator 106 of the mechanical switch 104 to the on position,install (e.g., mount) the remote control device 120 onto the toggleactuator 106, and associate the remote control device 120 and thecontrollable light source 110 with each other, for example as describedabove.

It should be appreciated that the load control system 100 need notinclude the controllable light source 110. For example, in lieu of thecontrollable light source 110, the load control system 100 mayalternatively include a plug-in load control device for controlling anexternal lighting load. For example, the plug-in load control device maybe configured to be plugged into a receptacle of a standard electricaloutlet that is electrically connected to an AC power source. The plug-inload control device may have one or more receptacles to which one ormore plug-in electrical loads, such a table lamp or a floor lamp, may beplugged. The plug-in load control device may be configured to controlthe intensity of the lighting loads plugged into the receptacles of theplug-in load control device. It should further be appreciated that theremote control device 120 is not limited to being associated with, andcontrolling, a single load control device. For example, the remotecontrol device 120 may be configured to control multiple controllableload control devices, for example substantially in unison.

Examples of remote control devices configured to be mounted overexisting light switches are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,565,742, issued Feb. 7, 2017, and U.S.Pat. No. 9,633,557, issued Apr. 25, 2017, both entitled “Battery-PoweredRetrofit Remote Control Device,” the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

Although described with reference to a remote control device 120 that isconfigured to mount over an existing mechanical switch, it should beappreciated that the remote control device 120 and/or the rotatingportion 122 may be implemented as a dimmer switch, a wall-mountedcontrol device, a tabletop remote control device, and/or a handheldremote control device (e.g., remote control device 130 as shown in FIG.1). For example, if implemented as a dimmer switch, the dimmer switchmay be configured to be mounted to a standard electrical wallbox (e.g.,via a yoke) and be coupled in series electrically connection between theAC power source 102 and the controllable light source 110. The dimmerswitch may receive an AC mains line voltage V_(AC) from the AC powersource 102, and may generate a control signal for controlling thecontrollable light source 110. The control signal may be generated viavarious phase-control techniques (e.g., a forward phase-control dimmingtechnique or a reverse phase-control dimming technique). The dimmerswitch may be configured to receive wireless signals (e.g., from aremote control device) representative of commands to control the lightsource 110, and generate respective control signals for executing thecommands. An example of a wall-mounted dimmer switch is described ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 17, and in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 7,242,150, issued Jul. 10, 2007, entitled Dimmer Having A PowerSupply Monitoring Circuit; U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,473, issued Jun. 9, 2009,entitled Dimmer Having A Microprocessor-Controlled Power Supply; andU.S. Pat. No. 8,664,881, issued Mar. 4, 2014, entitled Two-Wire DimmerSwitch for Low-Power Loads, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Further, it should be appreciated that, although a lighting controlsystem is provided as an example above, a load control system 100 asdescribed herein may include more or fewer lighting loads, other typesof lighting loads, and/or other types of electrical loads that may beconfigured to be controlled by the one or more control devices. Forexample, the load control system may include one or more of: a dimmingballast for driving a gas-discharge lamp; an LED driver for driving anLED light source; a dimming circuit for controlling the intensity of alighting load; a screw-in luminaire including a dimmer circuit and anincandescent or halogen lamp; a screw-in luminaire including a ballastand a compact fluorescent lamp; a screw-in luminaire including an LEDdriver and an LED light source; an electronic switch, controllablecircuit breaker, or other switching device for turning an appliance onand off; a plug-in control device, controllable electrical receptacle,or controllable power strip for controlling one or more plug-in loads; amotor control unit for controlling a motor load, such as a ceiling fanor an exhaust fan; a drive unit for controlling a motorized windowtreatment or a projection screen; one or more motorized interior and/orexterior shutters; a thermostat for a heating and/or cooling system; atemperature control device for controlling a setpoint temperature of aheating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system; an airconditioner; a compressor; an electric baseboard heater controller; acontrollable damper; a variable air volume controller; a fresh airintake controller; a ventilation controller; one or more hydraulicvalves for use in radiators and radiant heating system; a humiditycontrol unit; a humidifier; a dehumidifier; a water heater; a boilercontroller; a pool pump; a refrigerator; a freezer; a television and/orcomputer monitor; a video camera; an audio system or amplifier; anelevator; a power supply; a generator; an electric charger, such as anelectric vehicle charger; an alternative energy controller; and/or thelike.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict an example remote control device 200 (e.g., abattery-powered rotary remote control device) that may be deployed, forexample, as the remote control device 120 of the load control system 100shown in FIG. 1. The remote control device 200 may be configured to bemounted over a toggle actuator 204 of a standard light switch 202 (e.g.,the toggle actuator 106 of the SPST maintained mechanical switch 104shown in FIG. 1). The remote control device 200 may be installed overthe toggle actuator 204 of an installed light switch 202 withoutremoving a faceplate 206 that is mounted to the light switch 202 (e.g.,via faceplate screws 208).

The remote control device 200 may include a mounting assembly 210 and acontrol unit 220 (e.g., control module) that may be attached to themounting assembly 210. The mounting assembly 210 may be more generallyreferred to as a base portion of the remote control device 200. Thecontrol unit 220 may include a rotating portion that is rotatable withrespect to the mounting assembly 210. For example, as shown, the controlunit 220 includes an annular rotating portion 222 that is configured torotate about the mounting assembly 210. The remote control device 200may be configured such that the control unit 220 and the mountingassembly 210 are removeably attachable to one another. FIG. 3 depictsthe remote control device 200 with the control unit 220 detached fromthe mounting assembly 210.

The mounting assembly 210 may be configured to be fixedly attached tothe actuator of a mechanical switch, such as the toggle actuator 204 ofthe light switch 202, and may be configured to maintain the actuator inthe on position. For example, as shown the mounting assembly 210 mayinclude a base 211 that defines a toggle actuator opening 212 thatextends there through and that is configured to receive at least aportion of the toggle actuator 204. The base 211 may be configured tocarry a screw 214 that, when driven inward, may advance into the toggleactuator opening 212 and abut the toggle actuator 204, thereby securingthe base 211, and thus the mounting assembly 210, in a fixed positionrelative to the toggle actuator 204. With the mounting assembly 210 sofixed in position, the toggle actuator 204 may be prevented from beingswitched to the off position. In this regard, a user of the remotecontrol device 200 may be unable to inadvertently switch the lightswitch 202 off when the remote control device 200 is mounted to thelight switch 202.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to enable releasableattachment of the control unit 220 to the mounting assembly 210. Forexample, the mounting assembly may include a release mechanism that isoperatively coupled to the base 211 and that may be actuated to releasethe control unit from the mounting assembly 210. As shown, the mountingassembly 210 may include a sliding release tab 216 that may be actuatedto release the control unit 220 from the mounting assembly 210. Thecontrol unit 220 may include clips (not shown) that may be configured toengage with the mounting assembly 210 when the control unit 220 isattached to the mounting assembly 210. The illustrated release tab 216may include locking members (not shown) that may be configured toprevent the clips from being released from the mounting assembly 210.The clips may be released by the locking members of the mountingassembly 210 when the release tab 216 is actuated from the lockingposition to a release position and the control unit 220 is pulled awayfrom the mounting assembly 210. The locking members may be springbiased, and may resiliently return to the locking position after therelease tab 216 is actuated to the release position and subsequentlyreleased. In this regard, the locking position of the release tab 216may be referred to as a rest position of the release tab 216.Alternatively, the locking members may not be spring biased, such thatthe release tab 216 may be manually actuated to return the release tabto the locking position.

The control unit 220 may be attached the mounting assembly 210 withoutrequiring the release tab 216 to be operated to the release position.Stated differently, the control unit 220 may be attached to the mountingassembly when the release tab 216 is in the locking position. Forexample, the clips of the control unit 220 may be configured toresiliently deflect around the locking members of the release tab 216and to snap into place behind rear edges of the locking members, therebysecuring the control unit 220 to the mounting assembly 210 in anattached position. The control unit 220 may be detached from themounting assembly 210 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3), for instance to accessone or more batteries 230 (FIG. 4) that may be used to power the controlunit 220.

When the control unit 220 is attached to the mounting assembly 210(e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), the rotating portion 222 may be rotatable inopposed directions about the mounting assembly 210, for example in theclockwise or counter-clockwise directions. The mounting assembly 210 maybe configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator 204 of the lightswitch 202 such that the application of rotational movement to therotating portion 222 does not actuate the toggle actuator 204. Theremote control device 200 may be configured to be mounted to the toggleactuator 204 both when a “switched up” position of the toggle actuator204 corresponds to an on position of the light switch 202, and when a“switched down” position of the toggle actuator 204 corresponds to theon position of the light switch 202, while maintaining functionality ofthe remote control device 200.

The control unit 220 may include an actuation portion 224, which may beoperated separately from or in concert with the rotating portion 222. Asshown, the actuation portion 224 may include a circular surface withinan opening defined by the rotating portion 222. In an exampleimplementation, the actuation portion 224 may be configured to moveinward towards the light switch 202 to actuate a mechanical switch (notshown) inside the control unit 220, for instance as described herein.The actuation portion 224 may be configured to return to an idle or restposition (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) after being actuated. In thisregard, the actuation portion 224 may be configured to operate as atoggle control of the control unit 220.

The remote control device 200 may be configured to transmit one or morewireless communication signals (e.g., RF signals 108) to one or morecontrol devices (e.g., the control devices of the load control system100, such as the controllable light source 110). The remote controldevice 200 may include a wireless communication circuit, e.g., an RFtransceiver or transmitter (not shown), via which one or more wirelesscommunication signals may be sent and/or received. The control unit 220may be configured to transmit digital messages (e.g., includingcommands) in response to operation of the rotating portion 222 and/orthe actuation portion 224. The digital messages may be transmitted toone or more devices associated with the remote control device 200, suchas the controllable light source 110. For example, the control unit 220may be configured to transmit a command via one or more RF signals 108to raise the intensity of the controllable light source 110 in responseto a clockwise rotation of the rotating portion 222 and a command tolower the intensity of the controllable light source in response to acounterclockwise rotation of the rotating portion 222. The control unit220 may be configured to transmit a command to toggle the controllablelight source 110 (e.g., from off to on or vice versa) in response to anactuation of the actuation portion 224. In addition, the control unit220 may be configured to transmit a command to turn the controllablelight source 110 on in response to an actuation of the actuation portion224 (e.g., if the control unit 220 knows that the controllable lightsource 110 is presently off). The control unit 220 may be configured totransmit a command to turn the controllable light source 110 off inresponse to an actuation of the actuation portion 224 (e.g., if thecontrol unit 220 knows that the controllable light source 110 ispresently on).

The control unit 220 may include a light bar 226, for example, locatedbetween the rotating portion 222 and the actuation portion 224. Forexample, the light bar 226 may be define a full circle as shown in FIG.2. The light bar 226 may be attached to a periphery of the actuationportion 224, and may move with the actuation portion 224 when theactuation portion 224 is actuated. The remote control device 200 mayprovide feedback via the light bar 226, for instance while the rotatingportion 222 is being rotated and/or after the remote control device 200is actuated (e.g., the rotating portion 222 is rotated and/or theactuation portion 224 is actuated). The feedback may indicate, forexample, that the remote control device 200 is transmitting one or moreRF signals 108. To illustrate, the light bar 226 may be illuminated fora few seconds (e.g., 1-2 seconds) after the remote control device 200 isactuated, and then may be turned off (e.g., to conserve battery life).The light bar 226 may be illuminated to different intensities, forexample depending on whether the rotating portion 222 is being rotatedto raise or lower the intensity of the lighting load. The light bar 226may be illuminated to provide feedback of the actual intensity of alighting load being controlled by the remote control device 200 (e.g.,the controllable light source 110).

As described herein, the remote control device 200 may comprise abattery (e.g., such as the battery 230) for powering at least the remotecontrol device 200. The remote control device 200 may be configured todetect a low battery condition and provide an indication of thecondition such that a user may be alerted to replace the battery.

Multiple levels of low battery indications may be provided, for example,depending on the amount of power remaining in the battery. For instance,the remote control device 200 may be configured to provide two levels oflow battery indications. A first level of indication may be providedwhen remaining battery power falls below a first threshold (e.g.,reaching 20% of full capacity or 80% of battery life). The first levelof indication may be provided, for example, by illuminating and/orflashing a portion of the light bar 226 (e.g., a bottom portion of thelight bar 226). To distinguish from the illumination used as userfeedback and/or to attract a user's attention, the portion of the lightbar 226 used to provide the first level of low battery indication may beilluminated in a different color (e.g., red) and/or in a specificpattern (e.g., flashing). The low battery indication may be provided viathe light bar 226 regardless of whether the light bar 226 is being usedto provide user feedback as described herein. For example, the lowbattery indication may be provided via the light bar 226 when the lightbar 226 is not being used to provide user feedback (e.g., when theactuation portion 224 is not actuated and/or when the rotating portion222 is not being rotated). The low battery indication may be providedwhen the light bar 226 is being used to provide user feedback. In such acase, the low battery indication may be distinguished from the userfeedback because, for example, the low battery indication is illuminatedin a different color (e.g., red) and/or in a specific pattern (e.g.,flashing).

Additionally or alternatively, the first level of indication may beprovided, for example, by illuminating and/or flashing the bottomportion of the light bar 226, as well as the control unit release tab216. The control unit release tab 216, which may be used to remove thecontrol unit 220 and obtain access to the battery, may be illuminated.The illumination may be generated by backlighting the control unitrelease tab 216. For example, the control unit release tab 216 maycomprise a translucent (e.g., transparent, clear, and/or diffusive)material and may be illuminated by one or more light sources (e.g.,LEDs) located above and/or to the side of the control unit release tab216 (e.g., inside the control unit 220). The illumination may be steadyor flashed (e.g., in a blinking manner) such that the low batterycondition may be called to a user's attention. Further, by illuminatingthe control unit release tab 216, the mechanism for replacing thebattery may be highlighted for the user. The user may actuate thecontrol unit release tab 216 (e.g., by pushing up towards the baseportion 210 or pulling down away from the base portion 210) to removethe control unit 220 from the base portion 210. The user may then removeand replace the battery.

A second level of low battery indication may be provided when theremaining battery power falls below a second threshold. The secondthreshold may be set to represent a more urgent situation. For example,the threshold may be set at 5% of full capacity or 95% of the batterylife. The second level of indication may be provided, for example, byilluminating and/or flashing one or both of the bottom portion of thelight bar 226 and the control unit release tab 216. Since the batterymay be critically low when the second level of low battery indication isgenerated, the remote control device 200 may be configured to not onlyprovide the low battery indication but also take other measures toconserve battery power. For instance, the remote control device 200 maybe configured to stop providing user feedback via the light bar 226(e.g., to not illuminate the light bar).

FIG. 4 is a front exploded view of the control unit 220 of the remotecontrol device 200 shown in FIG. 2. The light bar 226 may be attached tothe actuation portion 224 around a periphery of the actuation portion224. When the actuation portion 224 is received within the opening ofthe rotating portion 222, the light bar 226 may be located between theactuation portion 224 and the rotating portion 222.

The control unit 220 may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly240 having a PCB 242. The PCB assembly 240 may comprise a controlcircuit (e.g., including a microprocessor 244) mounted to the PCB 242.The PCB assembly 240 may comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes(LEDs) 246 arranged around the perimeter of the PCB 242 to illuminatethe light bar 226. The PCB assembly 240 may include a mechanical tactileswitch 248 mounted to a center of the PCB 242. The control unit 220 mayfurther comprise a carrier 250 to which the PCB 242 is connected. ThePCB 242 and the carrier 250 may comprise respective apertures 252, 254to allow for mechanical connection of the PCB 242 to the carrier 250.The PCB 242 and the carrier 250 may further comprise respective openings256, 258 that may be configured to receive at least a portion of thetoggle actuator 204 of the light switch 202 when the control unit 220 ismounted to the mounting assembly 210. The carrier 250 may define abattery recess 260 that is configured to house the battery 230. When thePCB 242 is connected to the carrier 250, the battery 230 may be locatedbetween the PCB 242 and the carrier (e.g., in the battery recess 260)and may be electrically connected to the control circuit on the PCB 242.When the control unit 220 is removed from the mounting assembly 210, thebattery 230 may be removed from the control unit through the opening 258in the carrier 250.

The carrier 250 may comprise a peripheral flange 262, which may abutagainst a rail 264 on an inner surface 266 of the rotating portion 222when the control unit 220 is fully assembled. The carrier 250 may beheld in place by snaps 268 on the inner surface 266 of the rotatingportion 222. When the actuation portion 224 is pressed, the actuationportion 224 may move along the z-direction (e.g., towards the mountingassembly 210) until an inner surface of the actuation portion 224actuates the mechanical tactile switch 248. The actuation portion 224may be returned to an idle or rest position by the mechanical tactileswitch 248 or a return spring.

The control unit 220 may further comprise a rotational sensing system,e.g., a magnetic sensing system, such as a Hall-effect sensor system,for determining the rotational speed and direction of rotation of therotating portion 222. The Hall-effect sensor system may comprisecircular magnetic element, e.g., a magnetic ring 270 as shown in FIG. 4.The magnetic ring 270 may be located along (e.g., connected to) theinner surface 266 of the rotating portion 222. The magnetic ring 270 mayextend around the circumference of the rotating portion 222. Themagnetic ring 270 may include a plurality of alternating positivenorth-pole sections 272 (e.g., labeled with “N” in FIG. 4) and negativesouth-pole sections 274 (e.g., labeled with “S” in FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of the PCB assembly 240. TheHall-effect sensor system may further comprise one or more Hall-effectsensing circuits 280. Each Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 may comprisea Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 that may be mounted to thePCB 242 (e.g., to a rear side of the PCB as shown in FIG. 5). TheHall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 may comprise a plurality ofmounting pads 284. While one Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 is shown inFIG. 5, the control unit 220 may comprise two Hall-effect sensingcircuits 280 that are configured to detect the passing of the positiveand negative sections 272, 274 of the magnetic strip 270 as the rotatingportion 222 is rotated (e.g., as will be described in greater detailbelow). Accordingly, the microprocessor 244 of the control circuit maybe configured to determine the rotational speed and direction ofrotation of the rotating portion 222 in response to the Hall-effectsensing circuits 280.

The magnetic ring 270 may be configured to generate a magnetic field ina first direction (e.g., perpendicular to the z-direction, along the x-yplane), while the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 may beresponsive to magnetic fields in a second direction (e.g., thez-direction) that is angularly offset from the first direction (e.g.,offset by 90 degrees). For example, the Hall-effect sensor integratedcircuit 282 of each Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 may be responsive tomagnetic fields directed in the z-direction (e.g., perpendicular to theplane of the PCB 242). However, the magnetic ring 270 may generatemagnetic fields in directions perpendicular to the z-direction, e.g., inthe x-y plane. Accordingly, each Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 mayfurther comprise one or more magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 forconducting and directing the magnetic fields generated by the magneticring 270 to direct the magnetic fields in the z-direction at theHall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the control unit 220 illustrating thestructure of one Hall-effect sensing circuit 280. FIG. 7 is a sidecross-sectional view taken through the line shown in FIG. 6 toillustrate the orientation of the magnetic strip 270, the Hall-effectsensor integrated circuit 282, and the magnetic flux pipe structures286, 288 (without the PCB 242 shown). FIG. 8 is a first sidecross-sectional view and FIG. 9 is a second opposite cross-section viewtaken through the center of the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit282 (e.g., through line shown in FIG. 6) to further illustrate theorientation of the magnetic strip 270, the Hall-effect sensor integratedcircuit 282, and the magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288. FIG. 10 isa partial rear perspective view of the control unit 220 without the PCB242 shown, but with the location of the PCB 242 shown in dashed lines.FIG. 11 is an enlarged front perspective view of the Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuit 282 and the magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288once again without the PCB 242 shown, but with the location of the PCB242 shown in dashed lines.

The magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 may be configured to bemounted to the PCB 242 (e.g., soldered to electrical pads on the PCB242, glued to the electrical pads on the PCB 242, shaped on theelectrical pads of the PCB 242, etc.), for example, as shown in FIGS. 6,8, and 9. The magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 may be configuredto conduct and direct the magnetic fields generated by the magnetic ring270 to direct the magnetic fields in a partially circular motion towardsthe Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 (e.g., in the z-directionat the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282).

The magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 may each comprise respectivering coupling portions 290, sensor coupling portions 292, and mountingportions 294. The ring coupling portions 290 and the sensor couplingportions 292 may be located at opposite ends of the respective magneticflux pipe structures 286, 288. The sensor coupling portion 292 of eachmagnetic flux pipe structure 286, 288 may be arranged in a plane that isperpendicular to a plane of the respective ring coupling portion 290(e.g., oriented at 90° from each other). The mounting portions 294 maybe configured to be soldered to the electrical pads on the PCB 242. Thering coupling portions 290 of the magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288may be positioned adjacent to the magnetic strip 270 and may be locatedin a notch 296 in the PCB 242 when the mounting portions 294 are mountedto the PCB 242.

The ring coupling portions 290 may be configured to receive the magneticfields generated by the positive and negative sections 272, 274 of themagnetic strip 270. The ring coupling portions 290 of the magnetic fluxpipe structures 286, 288 may be oriented such that the ring couplingportion of the front magnetic flux pipe structure 286 is adjacent to apositive section 272 of the magnetic strip 270 when the ring couplingportion of the rear magnetic flux pipe structure 288 is adjacent to anegative section 274. For example, the positive section 272 to which thering coupling portion 290 of the front magnetic flux pipe structure 286is adjacent may be next to a negative section 274 to which the ringcoupling portion 290 of the rear magnetic flux pipe structure 288 isadjacent, for example, as shown in FIG. 10. The ring coupling portion290 of the front magnetic flux pipe structure 286 may also be adjacentto a negative section 272 of the magnetic strip 270 while the ringcoupling portion 290 of the rear magnetic flux pipe structure 288 may beadjacent to a positive section 274. The ring coupling portions 290 ofthe magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 may be spaced apart by adistance that is approximately equal to an angular distance θ_(N-S)between the centers of adjacent positive and negative sections 272, 274of the magnetic strip 270, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

The sensor coupling portions 292 of the magnetic flux pipe structures286, 288 may be oriented substantially over top of each other with theHall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 in between the sensor couplingportions 292 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7-9, 10, and 11). The Hall-effectsensor integrated circuit 282 may be mounted to the PCB 242 directlyunderneath the sensor coupling portion 292 of the rear magnetic fluxpipe structures 288. The sensor coupling portions 292 may be configuredto focus and direct the magnetic field generated by the magnetic strip270 through the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 in thez-direction (e.g., the direction to which the Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuit 282 is responsive to magnetic fields).

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288may have different shapes (e.g., from those described herein, and/orfrom one another). For example, the sensor coupling portion 292 of thefront magnetic flux pipe structure 286 may be in the same plane as therespective mounting portion 294, while the sensor coupling portion 292of the rear magnetic flux pipe structure 288 may be offset from theplane of the respective mounting portion 294 to accommodate theHall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282. The magnetic flux pipestructures 286, 288 may have the same shape. For example, both magneticflux pipe structures 286, 288 may have the shape of the rear magneticflux pipe structure 288 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In one or moreexamples, the sensor coupling portion 292 may be oriented to match thenatural shape of one or more magnetic field lines (e.g., magnetic fieldlines 299) as they travel between the north and south poles.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the magnetic ring 270 and magnetic fluxpipe structures 286′, 288′ illustrating magnetic field lines 299. Asshown in FIG. 12, the magnetic flux pipe structures 286′, 288′ have thesame shape. The magnetic field lines 299 extend from the magnetic ring270 through magnetic flux pipe structures 286′, 288′, where the magneticfield may have the greatest strength. Although not illustrated, themagnetic field lines may extend through the magnetic flux pipestructures 286′, 288′ toward the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit282 (not shown in FIG. 12). The magnetic field lines 299 may extendbetween sensor coupling portions 292′ of the magnetic flux pipestructures 286′, 288′, which is where the Hall-effect sensor integratedcircuit 282 may be located. The magnetic flux pipe structures 286′, 288′may be oriented and sized to ensure that the strength of the magneticfield between the sensor coupling portions 292′ is appropriate for theHall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 to detect the magnetic field.

The control unit 220 may comprise more than one (e.g., two) Hall-effectsensing circuit 280 (e.g., as described with reference to FIGS. 15 and16). In such instances, each Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 maycomprise a Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282 and two magneticflux pipe structures 286, 288. For example, the control unit 220 maycomprise two Hall-effect sensing circuits 280. The ring couplingportions 290 of the magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 of one of theHall-effect sensing circuits 280 may be positioned adjacent each otherat a first position along the circumference of the magnetic ring 270,and the ring coupling portions 290 of the other Hall-effect sensingcircuit 280 may be positioned adjacent each other at a second positionalong the circumference of the magnetic ring 270.

The ring coupling portions 290 of the magnetic flux pipe structures 286,288 of each of the Hall-effect sensing circuits 280 may be spaced apartby the distance θ_(N-S) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7). When the ringcoupling portions 290 of the magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 ofone of the Hall-effect sensing circuits 280 are lined up with thecenters of two adjacent positive and negative sections 272, 274 of themagnetic strip 270, the ring coupling portions 290 of the otherHall-effect sensing circuit 280 may be offset from the centers of twoother adjacent positive and negative sections 272, 274 of the magneticstrip 270. For example, the ring coupling portions 290 of the otherHall-effect sensing circuit 280 may be offset by an offset distanceθ_(OS) (e.g., one-half of the distance θ_(N-S)) from the centers of thetwo other adjacent positive and negative sections 272, 274 of themagnetic strip 270. For example, the offset distance θ_(OS) may be suchthat when the ring coupling portions 290 of the magnetic flux pipestructures 286, 288 of one of the Hall-effect sensing circuits 280 arelined up with the centers of two adjacent positive and negative sections272, 274 of the magnetic strip 270, the ring coupling portions 290 ofthe other Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 may be lined up with atransition between a positive section 272 and a negative section 274 ofthe magnetic strip 270.

FIG. 13A is a front-facing exploded view and FIG. 13B is a rear-facingexploded view of an example control unit 320 of an example remotecontrol device. The control unit 320 may be implemented as, for example,the control unit 220 of the remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 2.The control unit 320 may be detached from a mounting assembly (e.g., themounting assembly 210), for instance to access one or more batteries 350that may be used to power the control unit 320.

The control unit 320 may include a single battery 350 as shown in FIG.13B. The control unit 320 may be configured such that the battery 350 islocated in space within the control unit 320 that is not occupied by atoggle actuator. The control unit 320 may include a battery retentionstrap 352 that may be configured to hold the battery 350 in placebetween the battery retention strap 352 and a printed circuit board(PCB) 354 of the control unit 320. The battery retention strap 352 maybe configured to operate as a first electrical contact for the battery350. A second electrical contact may be located on a rear-facing surfaceof the PCB 354. In an example of removing the battery 350 from thecontrol unit 320, the control unit 320 may be detached from the mountingassembly, and the battery 350 may be slid out from between the batteryretention strap 352 and the PCB 354. The PCB 354 may define an actuatoropening 356 that extends there through and that may be configured toreceive at least a portion of the toggle actuator of the light switchwhen the control unit 320 is mounted to the mounting assembly.Alternatively, the control unit 320 may be integral with a dimmerswitch, for example, as describe herein. In such instances, the controlunit 320 may receive AC power and the battery may be omitted.

The control unit 320 may include a light bar 326. The light bar 326 maybe located, for example, between the rotating portion 322 and theactuation portion 324. As shown, the light bar 326 may define a fullcircle geometry as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. As shown, the light bar326 may be attached to a periphery of the actuation portion 324, and maymove with the actuation portion 324 when the actuation portion 324 isactuated. Alternatively, the light bar 326 may be attached to aperiphery of the rotating portion 322. The remote control device mayprovide feedback via the light bar 326, for instance while the rotatingportion 322 is being rotated and/or after the remote control device isactuated (e.g., the rotating portion 322 is rotated and/or the actuationportion 324 is actuated). The feedback may indicate, for example, thatthe remote control device is transmitting one or more RF signals 108. Toillustrate, the light bar 326 may be illuminated for a few seconds(e.g., 1-2 seconds) after the remote control device is actuated, andthen may be turned off (e.g., to conserve battery life). The light bar326 may be illuminated to different intensities, for example dependingon whether the rotating portion 322 is being rotated to raise or lowerthe intensity of the lighting load. The light bar 326 may be illuminatedto provide feedback of an actual intensity of a lighting load beingcontrolled by the remote control device (e.g., the controllable lightsource 110).

The light bar 326 may be attached to the actuation portion 324 around aperiphery of the actuation portion 324. The actuation portion 324 may bereceived within an opening 360 of the rotating portion 322 and may floatfreely in the opening 360. When the actuation portion 324 is receivedwithin the opening 360 of the rotating portion 322, the light bar 326may be located between the actuation portion 324 and the rotatingportion 322 such that the light bar 326 is visible to a user of theremote control device.

The PCB 354 may include a mechanical tactile switch 372 that may bemounted to a front-facing surface of the PCB 354. Control circuitry ofthe control unit 320 may be mounted to the PCB 354, for example to theone or both of the front-facing and rear-facing surfaces. As shown, thecontrol unit 320 may include a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)378 arranged around a perimeter of the PCB 354. The LEDs 378 may beconfigured to illuminate the light bar 326.

The control unit 320 may include an attachment portion 362 that isconfigured to carry one or more components of the control unit 320, suchas the PCB 354. For example, as shown the PCB 354 may be attached to theattachment portion 362 via snap-fit connectors 364. The attachmentportion 362 may include a plurality of tabs 366 arranged around acircumference of the attachment portion 362. The tabs 366 may beconfigured to be received within corresponding channels 368 defined bythe rotating portion 322, to thereby couple the rotating portion 322 tothe attachment portion 362 and allow for rotation of the rotatingportion 322 around the attachment portion 362. As shown, the attachmentportion 362 may define the recesses 315. When the control unit 320 isconnected to the mounting assembly, the snap-fit connectors of themounting assembly may be received in the recesses 315 of the attachmentportion 362. The attachment portion 362 and the PCB 354 may remain fixedin position relative to the mounting assembly as the rotating portion322 is rotated around the attachment portion 362. When the control unit320 is attached to the mounting assembly, a portion of the toggleactuator of the light switch may be received in the actuator opening 356of the PCB 354, such that the rotating portion 322 rotates about thetoggle actuator 304 when operated.

The control unit 320 may include a resilient return spring 370 that maybe located between the actuation portion 324 and the PCB 354. The returnspring 370 may be configured to be attached to the PCB 354. Theactuation portion 324 may define a projection 374 that extends rearwardfrom an inner surface of the actuation portion 324. When a force isapplied to the actuation portion 324 (e.g., when the actuation portion324 is pressed by a user of the remote control device), the actuationportion 324, and thus the light bar 326, may move in the direction Zuntil the projection 374 actuates the mechanical tactile switch 372. Thereturn spring 370 may compress under application of the force. Whenapplication of the force is ceased (e.g., the user no longer presses theactuation portion 324), the return spring 370 may decompress, thereby tobiasing the actuation portion 324 forward such that the actuationportion 324 abuts a rim 376 of the rotating portion 322. In this regard,the return spring 370 may operate to return the actuation portion 324from an activated (e.g., pressed) position to a rest position.

The control unit 320 may include a magnetic strip 380 (e.g., a magneticring, such as the magnetic ring 270) that may be disposed along an innersurface 382 of the rotating portion 322. The magnetic strip 380 mayextend around an inner circumference of the rotating portion 322. Thecontrol unit 320 may include one or more magnetic sensing circuit, suchas Hall-effect sensing circuits (e.g., the Hall-effect sensing circuits280). Each Hall-effect sensing circuit may comprise a Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuit 384A, 384B that may be mounted on the PCB 354 (e.g.,to a rear side of the PCB as shown in FIG. 13B). The Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuits 384A, 384B may comprise a plurality of mounting pads(not shown).

The magnetic strip 380 may be configured to generate a magnetic field ina first direction (e.g., perpendicular to the z-direction, along the x-yplane), while the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits 384A, 384B maybe responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction (e.g., thez-direction) that is angularly offset from the first direction (e.g.,offset by 90 degrees). For example, the Hall-effect sensor integratedcircuits 384A, 384B of each Hall-effect sensing circuit may beresponsive to magnetic fields directed in the z-direction (e.g.,perpendicular to the plane of the PCB 354). However, the magnetic strip380 may generate magnetic fields in directions perpendicular to thez-direction, e.g., in the x-y plane. Accordingly, each Hall-effectsensing circuit may further comprise one or more magnetic flux pipestructures 386A, 388A, 386B, 388B for conducting and directing themagnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip 380 to direct themagnetic fields in the z-direction at the Hall-effect sensor integratedcircuit 384A, 384B.

The magnetic strip 380 may include a plurality of alternating positiveand negative sections, and the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits384A, 384B may be operable to detect passing of the positive andnegative sections of the magnetic strip 380 as the rotating portion 322is rotated about the attachment portion 362. The control circuit of thecontrol unit 320 may be configured to determine a rotational speedand/or direction of rotation of the rotating portion 322 in response tothe Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 384A, 384B. Each Hall-effectsensor integrated circuit 384A, 384B may be located adjacent to one ormore magnetic flux pipe structures 386A, 386B, 388A, 388B. Each magneticflux pipe structure 386A, 386B, 388A, 388B may be configured to conductand direct respective magnetic fields generated by the magnetic strip380 toward corresponding Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 384A,384B. For example, the magnetic flux pipe structure 386A and 388A may beconfigured to conduct and direct respective magnetic fields generated bythe magnetic strip 380 toward Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit384A, while the magnetic flux pipe structure 386B and 388B may beconfigured to conduct and direct respective magnetic fields generated bythe magnetic strip 380 toward Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit384B.

As shown, the magnetic flux pipe structures 386A, 386B may be connectedto the attachment portion 362, and the magnetic flux pipe structures388A, 388B may be mounted to the PCB 354. However, any of the magneticflux pipe structures 386A, 386B, 388A, 388B may be mounted to any othercomponent of the control unit 320. For example, the magnetic flux pipestructures 386A, 386B may be mounted to (e.g., integral with) thebattery retention strap 352. In such instances, the locations of themagnetic flux pipe structures 388A, 388B and the Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuit 384A, 384B may moved accordingly.

The ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures 386A,386B, 388A, 388B of each of the Hall-effect sensing circuits may bespaced apart by the distance θ_(N-S) (e.g., similar to the spacingillustrated in FIG. 7 with respect to the Hall-effect sensing circuits280). When the ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipestructures 386A, 386B, 388A, 388B of one of the Hall-effect sensingcircuits are lined up with the centers of two adjacent positive andnegative sections of the magnetic strip 380, the ring coupling portionsof the magnetic flux pipe structures 386A, 386B, 388A, 388B of the otherHall-effect sensing circuit may be offset from the centers of two otheradjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip 380. Forexample, the ring coupling portions of the other Hall-effect sensingcircuit may be offset by an offset distance θ_(OS) (e.g., one-half ofthe distance θ_(N-S)) from the centers of the two other adjacentpositive and negative sections of the magnetic strip 380. For example,the offset distance θ_(OS) may be such that when the ring couplingportions of the magnetic flux pipe structures 386A, 386B, 388A, 388B ofone of the Hall-effect sensing circuits are lined up with the centers oftwo adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip 380,the ring coupling portions of the magnetic flux pipe structures 386A,386B, 388A, 388B of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit may be linedup with a transition between a positive section and a negative sectionof the magnetic strip 380.

Although not illustrated, the Hall-effect sensing circuits of thecontrol unit 320 may share a magnetic flux pipe structure (e.g., asingle positive or negative pole). For example, the magnetic flux pipestructures 386A, 386B may be connected together for form a singlemagnetic flux pipe structure (not shown). In such instances, themagnetic flux pipe structures 386A, 386B may share a single ringcoupling portion and may extend away from each other towards therespective Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits 384A, 384B. TheHall-effect sensing circuits may also comprise the respective magneticflux pipe structures 388A, 388B positioned adjacent to the respectiveHall-effect sensor integrated circuits 384A, 384B. As such, as themagnetic strip 380 is rotated, the magnetic field may be conducted fromthe shared ring coupling portion of the connected magnetic flux pipestructures 386A, 386B to the sensor coupling portion of the magneticflux pipe structure 386A and be conducted from the sensor couplingportion of the magnetic flux pipe structure 388A to the ring couplingportion of the magnetic flux pipe structure 388A. At the same time, themagnetic field may also be conducted from the shared ring couplingportion of the connected magnetic flux pipe structures 386A, 386B to thesensor coupling portion of the magnetic flux pipe structure 386B andconducted from the sensor coupling portion of the magnetic flux pipestructure 388B to the ring coupling portion of the magnetic flux pipestructure 388B. Accordingly, the Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits384A, 384B may both be responsive to the changing magnetic field throughthe use of a shared magnetic flux pipe structure (e.g., the connectedmagnetic flux pipe structures 386A, 386B).

In addition, a control unit for a retrofit remote control device maycomprise a single magnetic flux pipe structure having multiple (e.g.,two) ring coupling portions. FIG. 14 is a partial front view of acontrol unit for a remote control device illustrating the structure ofalternate example magnetic sensing circuits, such as Hall-effect sensingcircuits 390A, 390B. Each Hall-effect sensing circuit 390A, 390B maycomprise a respective Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 384A, 384Bmounted to a printed circuit board 392. Each Hall-effect sensing circuit390A, 390B may further comprise a first magnetic flux pipe structure396A, 396B and a second magnetic flux pipe structure 398A, 398B forconducting and directing the magnetic fields generated by a magneticstrip (e.g., such as the magnetic strip 380) to direct the magneticfields in the z-direction at the respective Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuit 384A, 384B. The second magnetic flux pipe structure398A, 398B of each Hall-effect sensing circuit 390A, 390B may comprise asingle ring coupling portion 399A, 399B. The first magnetic flux pipestructure 396A, 396B of each Hall-effect sensing circuit 390A, 390B maycomprise two ring coupling portions 397A, 397B. The ring couplingportions 397A, 397B of each of the first magnetic flux pipe structures396A, 396B are configured to be positioned adjacent sections of themagnetic ring of the same charge (e.g., both adjacent north-polesections or south-pole sections) to increase the strength of themagnetic fields at the respective Hall-effect sensor circuit 390A, 390B.

FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram of an example control device 400(e.g., a remote control device) that may be implemented as, for example,the remote control device 120 shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 220 ofthe remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 2, and/or the control unit320 of the remote control device shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. As shown,the control device 400 includes a control circuit 410. The controlcircuit 410 may include one or more of a processor (e.g., amicroprocessor), a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or any suitable processing device.

The control device 400 may comprise a tactile switch 412 that may beactuated in response to actuations of an actuator (e.g., the actuationportion 224 of the control unit 220 and/or the actuation portion 324 ofthe control unit 320). The tactile switch 412 may generate a togglecontrol signal V_(TOG) that may be representative of instances when theactuation portion 224, 324 of the control unit 220, 330 is pushedtowards a mounting assembly (e.g., the mounting assembly 210), so as totoggle a controlled electrical load on and/or off.

The control device 400 may further comprise a magnetic sensing circuit414. The magnetic sensing circuit 414 may be a rotational sensingcircuit. The magnetic sensing circuit 141 may include a firstHall-effect sensing (HES) circuit 416 and a second Hall-effect sensing(HES) circuit 418. The first and second Hall-effect sensing circuits416, 418 may represent the Hall-effect sensing circuits 280 describedabove (e.g., each comprising a Hall-effect sensor integrated circuit 282and two magnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288, a Hall-effect sensorintegrated circuit 384 and two magnetic flux pipe structures 386, 388,and/or the like). The Hall-effect sensing circuit 416, 418 may beconfigured to detect the magnetic fields generated by a circularmagnetic element (e.g., the magnetic ring 270 and/or the magnetic strip380) coupled to a rotary knob (e.g., the rotating portion 222 of thecontrol unit 220 and/or the rotating portion 322 of the control unit320). The first Hall-effect sensing circuit 416 may generate a first HEScontrol signal V_(HES1) and the second Hall-effect sensing circuit 418may generate a second HES control signal V_(HES2). The first and secondHES control signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2) may, in combination, berepresentative of an angular velocity ω at which the rotating portion222, 322 is rotated and an angular direction (e.g., clockwise orcounter-clockwise) in which the rotating portion 222, 322 is rotated.

The control device 400 may also include a wireless communication circuit420, for example an RF transmitter coupled to an antenna, fortransmitting wireless signals, such as the RF signals 108, in responseto rotations of the rotating portion 222, 322 and actuations of theactuation portion 224, 324. The control circuit 410 may cause thewireless communication circuit 420 to transmit one or more wirelesssignals to an associated load control device, for example thecontrollable light source 110 shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively oradditionally, the wireless communication circuit 420 may include an RFreceiver for receiving RF signals, an RF transceiver for transmittingand receiving RF signals, or an infrared (IR) receiver for receiving IRsignals. The control circuit 410 may, responsive to receiving one ormore of the toggle control signal V_(TOG) and the first and second HEScontrol signals V_(HES1), V_(HES2), cause the wireless communicationcircuit 420 to transmit one or more signals, for example RF signals 108,to a controllable light source associated with the rotary remote controldevice 400, for example the lighting load of the controllable lightsource 110 shown in FIG. 1.

The remote control device 400 may also include a memory 422communicatively coupled to the control circuit 410. The control circuit410 may be configured to use the memory 422 for the storage and/orretrieval of, for example, a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number)of the remote control device 400 that may be included in the transmittedRF signals. The memory 422 may be implemented as an external integratedcircuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of the control circuit 410.

The remote control device 400 may also include a battery 424 forproducing a battery voltage V_(BATT) that may be used to power one ormore of the control circuit 410, the rotational sensing circuit 414, thewireless communication circuit 420, the memory 422, and otherlow-voltage circuitry of the remote control device 400.

The remote control device 400 may include one or more visual indicators,for example, one or more LEDs 426, which are configured to providefeedback to a user of the remote control device 400. For example, theLEDs 426 may be configured to illuminate the light bar 226. The LEDs 426may be operatively coupled to the control circuit 410. For example, thecontrol circuit 410 may control the LEDs 426 to provide feedbackindicating a status of the controllable light source 110, for example ifthe controllable light source 110 is on, off, or a present intensity ofthe controllable light source 110. The control circuit 410 may beconfigured to illuminate the LEDs 426 in order to provide an indicationthat the battery 424 is low on energy, to provide feedback duringprogramming or association of the remote control device 400, and/or toprovide a night light.

FIG. 16A is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms of the firstHES control signal V_(HES1) and the second HES control signal V_(HES2)when the rotating portion 222, 322 is being rotated in the clockwisedirection. The first HES control signal V_(HES1) may lag the second HEScontrol signal V_(HES2) by an offset time T_(Os) (e.g., one-half of thedistance θ_(N-S)) when the rotating portion 222, 322 is rotatedclockwise. FIG. 16B is a simplified diagram showing example waveforms ofthe first HES control signal V_(HES1) and the second HES control signalV_(HES2) when the rotating portion 222, 322 is being rotated in thecounter-clockwise direction. The second HES control signal V_(HES2) maylag the first HES control signal V_(HES1) by the offset time T_(OS) whenthe rotating portion 222, 322 is rotated counter-clockwise. The offsettime T_(OS) may be a function of the offset distance θ_(OS) (e.g.,one-half of the distance θ_(N-S)) and an angular velocity ω of therotating portion 222, 322 (e.g., T_(OS)=θ_(OS)/ω). The control circuit410 may be configured to determine whether the second HES control signalV_(HES2) is low (e.g., at approximately circuit common) or high (e.g.,at approximately the battery voltage V_(BATT)) at the times of thefalling edges of the first HES control signal V_(HES1) (e.g., when thefirst HES control signal V_(HES1) transitions from high to low), inorder to determine whether the rotating portion 222, 322 is beingrotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, respectively.

The lag between the first HES control signal V_(HES1) and the second HEScontrol signal V_(HES2) may be based on the offset of the ring couplingportion of the Hall-effect sensing circuits 280 from the centers of thetwo other adjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic strip.For example, the offset distance θ_(OS) (e.g., one-half of the distanceθ_(N-S)) may be such that when the ring coupling portions 290 of themagnetic flux pipe structures 286, 288 of one of the Hall-effect sensingcircuits 280 are lined up with the centers of two adjacent positive andnegative sections 272, 274 of the magnetic strip 270, the ring couplingportions 290 of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit 280 may be linedup with a transition between a positive section 272 and a negativesection 274 of the magnetic strip 270. Similarly, and for example, theoffset distance θ_(OS) (e.g., one-half of the distance θ_(N-S)) may besuch that when the ring coupling portions 397 of each of the firstmagnetic flux pipe structures 396, 398 of one of the Hall-effect sensingcircuits are lined up with the centers of two adjacent positive andnegative sections of the magnetic strip 380, the ring coupling portions397 of the other Hall-effect sensing circuit may be lined up with atransition between a positive section and a negative section of themagnetic strip 380.

In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the down arrow may indicate a transition from apositive section 272 to a negative section 274 of the magnetic strip270. Further, an entire period as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B is from onepole to the same pole, for example, from a positive section 272 of themagnetic strip 270 to a subsequent positive section 272 of the magneticstrip 270. The distance θ_(N-S) from a positive pole to a negative polemay define a half period of a rotation of the rotating portion 222, 322,while the offset distance θ_(OS) may define one-fourth of the period(e.g., 90 degrees).

FIG. 17 is a simplified block diagram of an example control device 500(e.g., a dimmer switch) that may be deployed as, for example, a loadcontrol device and/or a dimmer switch, such as those described herein.The control device 500 may include a hot terminal H that may be adaptedto be coupled to an AC power source 502. The control device 500 mayinclude a dimmed hot terminal DH that may be adapted to be coupled to anelectrical load, such as a lighting load 504. The control device 500 mayinclude a controllably conductive device 510 coupled in serieselectrical connection between the AC power source 502 and the lightingload 504. The controllably conductive device 510 may control the powerdelivered to the lighting load 504. The controllably conductive device510 may include a suitable type of bidirectional semiconductor switch,such as, for example, a triac, a field-effect transistor (FET) in arectifier bridge, two FETs in anti-series connection, or one or moreinsulated gate bipolar junction transistors (IGBTs). An air-gap switch529 may be coupled in series with the controllably conductive device510. The air-gap switch 529 may be opened and closed in response toactuations of an air-gap actuator (not shown). When the air-gap switch529 is closed, the controllably conductive device 510 is operable toconduct current to the load. When the air-gap switch 529 is open, thelighting load 504 is disconnected from the AC power source 502.

The control device 500 may include a control circuit 514. The controlcircuit 514 may include one or more of a processor (e.g., amicroprocessor), a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or any suitable controller or processing device. Thecontrol circuit 514 may be operatively coupled to a control input of thecontrollably conductive device 510, for example, via a gate drivecircuit 512. The control circuit 514 may be used for rendering thecontrollably conductive device 510 conductive or non-conductive, forexample, to control the amount of power delivered to the lighting load504.

The control circuit 514 may receive a control signal representative ofthe zero crossing points of the AC main line voltage of the AC powersource 502 from a zero crossing detector 516. The control circuit 514may be operable to render the controllably conductive device 510conductive and/or non-conductive at predetermined times relative to thezero crossing points of the AC waveform using a phase-control dimmingtechnique. Examples of dimmers are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,150, issued Jul. 10, 2007,entitled “Dimmer Having a Power Supply Monitoring Circuit,” U.S. Pat.No. 7,546,473, issued Jun. 9, 2009, entitled “Dimmer Having aMicroprocessor-Controlled Power Supply,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,664,881,issued Mar. 4, 2014, entitled “Two-wire Dimmer Switch for Low-PowerLoads,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

The control device 500 may include a memory 518. The memory 518 may becommunicatively coupled to the control circuit 514 for the storageand/or retrieval of, for example, operational settings, such as,lighting presets and associated preset light intensities. The memory 518may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as aninternal circuit of the control circuit 514. The control device 500 mayinclude a power supply 520. The power supply 520 may generate a directcurrent (DC) supply voltage V_(CC) for powering the control circuit 514and the other low voltage circuitry of the control device 500. The powersupply 520 may be coupled in parallel with the controllably conductivedevice 510. The power supply 520 may be operable to conduct a chargingcurrent through the lighting load 504 to generate the DC supply voltageV_(CC).

The control circuit 514 may be responsive to inputs received fromactuators 530, a magnetic sensing circuit 540 (e.g., which may include amagnetic rotational position sensing circuit), and/or a touch sensitivedevice 550. The control circuit 514 may control the controllablyconductive device 510 to adjust the intensity of the lighting load 504in response to the input received via the actuators 530, the magneticsensing circuit 540, and/or the touch sensitive device 550.

The magnetic sensing circuit 540 may be configured to translate a forceapplied to a rotating mechanism (e.g., such as the rotating portion 222of the control unit 210 and/or the rotating portion 322 of the controlunit 320) into an input signal and provide the input signal to thecontrol circuit 514. The magnetic sensing circuit 540 may include, forexample, a rotational sensing circuit (e.g., the rotational sensingcircuit 414), such as one or more Hall-effect sensors (e.g., such as theHall-effect sensor circuit 280, the Hall-effect sensor circuit of FIGS.13A and 13B4, etc.), a mechanical encoder, and/or an optical encoder.The magnetic sensing circuit 540 may also operate as an antenna of thecontrol device 500. The actuators 530 may include a button or switch(e.g., a mechanical button or switch, or an imitation thereof). Theactuators 530 may be configured to send respective input signals to thecontrol circuit 514 in response to actuations of the actuators 530(e.g., in response to movements of the actuators 530).

The touch sensitive device 550 may include a capacitive or resistivetouch element. Examples of such a touch sensitive device may include thetouch sensitive circuit 240 of remote control device 220, the touchsensitive surface of the control unit 320, and the touch sensitivesurface of the control device 500. The touch sensitive device 550 may beconfigured to detect point actuations and/or gestures (e.g., thegestures may be effectuated with or without physical contacts with thetouch sensitive device 550), and provide respective input signals to thecontrol circuit 514 indicating the detection. The control circuit 514may be configured to translate the input signals received from theactuators 530, the magnetic sensing circuit 540, and/or the touchsensitive device 550 into control data (e.g., one or more controlsignals), and cause the control data to be transmitted to the lightingload 504 or a central controller of the load control system.

It should be noted that, although depicted as including all of themagnetic circuit 540, the actuators 530, and the touch sensitive device550, the control device 500 may include any combination of the foregoingcomponents (e.g., one or more of those components).

The control device 500 may comprise a wireless communication circuit522. The wireless communication circuit 522 may include for example, aradio-frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to an antenna for transmittingand/or receiving RF signals. The wireless communication circuit 522 mayalso include an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals, an RFreceiver for receiving RF signals, or an infrared (IR) transmitterand/or receiver for transmitting and/or receiving IR signals. Thewireless communication circuit 522 may be configured to transmit acontrol signal that includes the control data (e.g., a digital message)generated by the control circuit 514 to the lighting load 504. Asdescribed herein, the control data may be generated in response to auser input to adjust one or more operational aspects of the lightingload 504. The control data may include a command and/or identificationinformation (e.g., such as a unique identifier) associated with thecontrol device 500. In addition to or in lieu of transmitting thecontrol signal to the lighting load 504, the wireless communicationcircuit 522 may be controlled to transmit the control signal to acentral controller of the lighting control system.

The control circuit 514 may be configured to illuminate visualindicators 560 (e.g., LEDs) to provide feedback of a status of thelighting load 504, to indicate a status of the control device 500,and/or to assist with a control operation (e.g., to provide a colorgradient for controlling the color of the lighting load 504, to presentbacklit virtual buttons for preset, zone, or operational mode selection,etc.). The visual indicators 560 may be configured to illuminate a lightbar and/or to serve as indicators of various conditions.

While the magnetic sensing circuits are shown and described herein asthe Hall-effect sensing circuits, the magnetic sensing circuits could beimplemented as any type of magnetic sensing circuit, such as, forexample, a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor, an anisotropicmagnetoresistance (AMR) sensor, a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor,a reed switch, or other mechanical magnetic sensor. The output signalsof the magnetic sensing circuits may be analog or digital signals.

Although described with reference to a circular magnetic element, suchas the magnetic rings 270 and 380, that includes alternating positiveand negative sections configured to generate a magnetic field in a firstdirection, it should be appreciated that any of the control devicesdescribed herein may include a magnetic element of a different shapeand/or size. And similarly, although described with reference to arotating portion, such as the rotating portion 222, the control devicemay include a movable portion that is of a different shape and/or size.For example, the control device may include a linear slider and a linearmagnetic element that enables the control device to be responsive tomovements of the linear slider.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A control device comprising: a movingportion; a magnetic element coupled to the moving portion, the magneticelement comprising alternating positive and negative sections configuredto generate a magnetic field in a first direction; at least one magneticsensing circuit responsive to magnetic fields in a second direction thatis angularly offset from the first direction; and at least one magneticflux pipe structure configured to conduct the magnetic field generatedby the magnetic element and redirect the magnetic field towards the atleast one magnetic sensing sensor circuit in the second direction,wherein the at least one magnetic flux pipe structure comprises amagnetic element coupling portion and a sensor coupling portion, andwherein the magnetic element coupling portion and the sensor couplingportion are located at opposite ends of the at least one magnetic fluxpipe structure.
 2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the sensorcoupling portion is arranged in a plane that is perpendicular to a planeof the respective magnetic element coupling portion.
 3. The controldevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic flux pipe structurecomprises a mounting portion that is configured to be attached to aprinted circuit board (PCB) of the load control device, and wherein themagnetic element coupling portion is positioned adjacent to the magneticelement and located in a notch in the PCB when the mounting portion isattached to the PCB.
 4. The control device of claim 1, wherein theangular offset is a 90 degree offset.
 5. The control device of claim 1,wherein the at least one magnetic sensing circuit comprises aHall-effect sensing circuit.
 6. The control device of claim 1, whereinthe magnetic element comprises a circular magnetic element, and whereinthe moving portion comprises a rotating portion.
 7. The control deviceof claim 1, wherein the magnetic element comprises a linear magneticelement, and wherein the moving portion comprises a linear slider. 8.The control device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic fluxpipe structure comprises: a first magnetic flux pipe structure extendingfrom a first location adjacent the magnetic element to a second locationadjacent a first side of the at least one magnetic sensing circuit; anda second magnetic flux pipe structure extending from a third locationadjacent the magnetic element to a fourth location adjacent a secondside of the at least one magnetic sensing circuit, wherein the first andsecond magnetic flux pipe structures are configured to conduct themagnetic field generated by the magnetic element towards the at leastone magnetic sensing circuit and redirect the magnetic field towards theat least one magnetic sensing circuit in the second direction.
 9. Thecontrol device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic sensingcircuit comprises two magnetic sensing circuits, and the at least onemagnetic flux pipe structure comprises two pairs of magnetic flux pipestructures.
 10. The control device of claim 1, wherein the at least onemagnetic sensing circuit comprises two magnetic sensing circuits, andthe at least one magnetic flux pipe structure comprises three magneticflux pipe structures, wherein first and second magnetic flux pipestructures are configured to share a third magnetic flux pipe structure.11. The control device of claim 10, wherein the first and secondmagnetic flux pipe structures are angularly offset such that the firstand second magnetic flux pipe structures are both directed toward thethird magnetic flux pipe structure; and wherein, when the magneticelement is moved, the magnetic field extends between the first and thirdmagnetic flux pipe structures toward a first magnetic sensing circuit ofthe two magnetic sensing circuits, and extends between the second andthird magnetic flux pipe structures toward a second magnetic sensingcircuit of the two magnetic sensing circuits.
 12. The control device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic sensing circuit comprises twomagnetic sensing circuits that each comprise two magnetic elementcoupling portions, wherein the magnetic element coupling portions of thetwo magnetic sensing circuits are offset from the centers of twoadjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic element.
 13. Thecontrol device of claim 12, wherein the at least one magnetic sensingcircuit comprise a first magnetic sensing circuit and a second magneticsensing circuit, and wherein, when magnetic element coupling portions ofthe first magnetic sensing circuit are lined up with the centers of twoadjacent positive and negative sections of the magnetic element,magnetic element coupling portions of the second magnetic sensingcircuit are each lined up with a transition between a positive sectionand a negative section of the magnetic element.
 14. The control deviceof claim 1, further comprising: a base portion configured to be fixedlyattached to an actuator of a mechanical switch; and a control unitcomprising the moving portion, the magnetic element, the at least onemagnetic sensing circuit, and the at least one magnetic flux pipestructure, wherein the control unit is configured to be removablyattached to the base portion.
 15. The control device of claim 14,wherein the base portion is configured to maintain the actuator in an onposition, and wherein the control unit further comprises a wirelesscommunication circuit configured to transmit one or more wirelesscommunication signals to one or more control devices.
 16. The controldevice of claim 1, further comprising: a yoke configured to mount thecontrol device to a standard electrical wallbox, wherein the controldevice is configured to be coupled in series electrical connectionbetween an alternating current (AC) power source and a controllableelectrical load.
 17. A magnetic sensing system comprising: a magneticsensing circuit responsive to a magnetic field generated by a magneticelement, the magnetic element comprising alternating positive andnegative sections configured to generate the magnetic field in a firstdirection, and the magnetic sensing circuit responsive to the magneticfield in a second direction that is angularly offset from the firstdirection; and at least one magnetic flux pipe structure configured toconduct the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element andredirect the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element towardsthe magnetic sensing circuit in the second direction, wherein the atleast one magnetic flux pipe structure comprises a magnetic elementcoupling portion and a sensor coupling portion, and wherein the magneticelement coupling portion and the sensor coupling portion are located atopposite ends of the at least one magnetic flux pipe structure.
 18. Themagnetic sensing system of claim 17, wherein the angular offset is a 90degree offset.
 19. The magnetic sensing system of claim 17, wherein themagnetic element comprises a circular magnetic sensing circuit.
 20. Themagnetic sensing system of claim 17, wherein the at least one magneticflux pipe structure comprises: a first magnetic flux pipe structureextending from a first location adjacent the magnetic element to asecond location adjacent a first side of the magnetic sensing circuit;and a second magnetic flux pipe structure extending from a thirdlocation adjacent the magnetic element to a fourth location adjacent asecond side of the magnetic sensing circuit; wherein the first andsecond magnetic flux pipe structures are configured to conduct themagnetic field generated by the magnetic element towards the magneticsensing circuit and redirect the magnetic field towards the magneticsensing circuit in the second direction.
 21. The magnetic sensing systemof claim 20, wherein the magnetic sensing circuit is a first magneticsensing circuit, the magnetic sensing system further comprising: asecond magnetic sensing circuit, wherein, when magnetic element couplingportions of the first magnetic sensing circuit are lined up with thecenters of two adjacent positive and negative sections of the magneticelement, magnetic element coupling portions of the second magneticsensing circuit are each lined up with a transition between a positivesection and a negative section of the magnetic element.
 22. The magneticsensing system of claim 17, wherein the sensor coupling portion isarranged in a plane that is perpendicular to a plane of the respectivemagnetic element coupling portion.